The Complete Guide to Makalidurga Trek

Unlike any other day treks around Bangalore, Makalidurga is a special trek which has a Railway Station as its base. Although the temple devoted to Muthurayaswamy is the actual starting point, it is a thrilling walk from the Railway Station to the temple for two kilometres.

Makalidurga has got its name from two sources, according to legend. Firstly, Makalidurga is named after a woody climber called “Makali Beru” or Makali Root, the juice of which is used to prepare a health drink. Some medicines also include juice because it purifies the blood. 

Secondly, the ‘Palegar’ or ruler named Makaliraya used the fort as his granary during the late 1800’s and that is how Makalidurga got its name.

Makalidurga is full of legend and history, because it is believed that Markandeya Rishi performed penance here.

Makalidurga has seen a lot of change of hands. In the beginning, rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire held the fort. But, as a result of their decline, the Nayakas ruled the fort. Later, Shahaji Bhosle, the father of Chhatrapati Shivaji, controlled the fort when he was ruling the Doddaballapur region during the 1600’s.

Makalidurga is about 60 kilometres from Bangalore, and just 15 kilometres from Doddaballapur and is easily accessible by road and railways. It is an all-season trek for beginners as well as experienced trekkers and for people looking for a quick weekend getaway.

Table of Contents

• What To Watch Out For
• Trail Information
• GPX File And Route Map Of The Trek
• Best Time To Do Makalidurga Trek
• How To Reach Makalidurga
• Is Makalidurga Trek Difficult
• How To Get Fit For The Makalidurga Trek
• Things To Take On Makalidurga Trek
• Frequently Asked Questions About Makalidurga Trek
• Nearby Places To Visit After The Makalidurga Trek

What To Watch Out For

1. A unique experience walking alongside railway tracks

Rarely does a trek start along a railway track, and Makalidurga ticks the box here. You walk along the railway lines to reach the base of the trek, which is quite an experience.

2. View of Gundamagere Lake, the shape of which resembles the continent of South America

The Gundamagere lake is almost in the shape of South American continent. The view of the lake as you make your way to the summit is definitely a highlight of this trek.

3. Ancient ruined fort on the top of the hill

The fort at the summit takes you back to the time when the fort was full of life and imagine its grandeur in the ancient times.

4. The temple of Makali Malleshwara is surrounded by the fort walls

At the summit, the temple dedicated to Makali Malleshwara is still worshipped by devotees who climb up all the way to get a glimpse of the idol. This is a rare sight for a fort which is in ruins.

Trail Information

There are two ways to approach Makalidurga. One is by walking from the Makalidurga Railway Station and the other is by reaching till the parking lot by vehicle and crossing the railway lines to start from Muthurayaswamy temple.

The trail itself can be divided into three sections, if you are walking from the Railway Station and two sections if you are starting from the temple.

For the first option, the stretch begins with a flat walk alongside the railway lines till you reach Muthurayaswamy temple. The second stretch is from the temple to Rest Point I, which starts with a gentle ascent over muddy and rocky terrain and gets very steep closer to Rest Point I.

This is the first stretch if you are exercising the second option. The final stretch is a moderately steep ascent on granite rock to the summit.

Section I: Makalidurga Railway Station to Muthurayaswamy Temple

Trek Distance: 2.2 kilometres
Trek Duration: 30 minutes
GPS Coordinates of Makalidurga Railway Station: 13°24’35.32”N 77°30’35.07”E
GPS Coordinates of Muthurayaswamy Temple: 13°25’33.51”N 77°30’15.79” E

Start walking by taking a right turn inside the railway station with Makalidurga hill in your sight. It is a flat 2.2 kilometre enjoyable walk. Watch out for the trains passing by and always stick to the trail. Do not walk on the rails.

The walk, although long, is picturesque and never boring.

You will see stretches of green and rocky boulders all around you, while stones and iron are at the center. This is such a contrast while you move closer to Makalidurga.

Look for the marking which says ’54/300′. This marks the end of walking along the railway lines. Keep to your left and in less than a 100 metres look for a sign board from the Forest Department on the left and cross over to the trail.

Section II: Muthurayaswamy Temple to Rest Point I

Trek Distance: 1 Kilometre
Trek Duration: 40 minutes
GPS Coordinates of Muthurayaswamy Temple: 13°25’33.51”N 77°30’15.79” E
GPS Coordinates of Rest Point I: 13°25’47.01”N 77°30’03.91”E

If you are approaching by road till the parking space, look for a big sign board by the Karnataka Forest Department on your left from State Highway 9 and at the board turn left on the dirt track.

Drive for about 900 metres where you see an open space. This is the parking lot. Park your vehicles here and hop over the railways lines to the other side of the trail which has a sign board from the Karnataka Forest Department.

In about 100 metres you will find Muthurayaswamy temple on your right. Follow the trail straight ahead until you reach a deviation, with the trail to your left leading to Gundamagere lake and a slightly elevated trail to your right leading to Makalidurga. Take the trail on your right.

The trail to the top of the hill is well marked by arrows on the rocks. Follow them to be on the right track.

Follow the trail as it leads you towards the top.

Do not forget to enjoy the scenery around as you walk up the trail. The surrounding is filled with lush greenery, especially during monsoons.

The trail starts to get tricky as the ascent becomes steeper. Make your way up through rocks and boulders with loose gravel. Chances of slipping are more in this section.

Once the tricky section is done, the trail opens up to a panoramic view of Gundamagere lake. Stop for a moment and take in the scenery.

A short while from here, you will climb the final steep granite rock to reach Rest Point I. Take the support of boulders as you climb up. This ensures there is enough grip for you to safely reach the top.

Rest here for a few minutes and have your snacks while enjoying the beautiful scenery. The fort at the top of the hill is visible from Rest Point I.

Section III: Rest Point I to Makalidurga Summit

Trek Distance: 600 metres
Trek Duration: 20 minutes
GPS Coordinates of Rest Point I: 13°25’47.01”N 77°30’03.91”E
GPS Coordinates of Makalidurga Summit: 13°25’58.24”N 77°30’05.38”E

Proceed towards the fort on a slightly steep trail, and in about 20 minutes you will reach the fort at the top, which marks the end of the ascent.

You will be greeted by the ancient fort walls which remind us of their history.

Standing on these walls will give a panoramic view of the surroundings. Two lakes are spotted from the top, Gundamagere lake to the West and Gunjur lake to the East.

The main highlight of the trek is Makali Malleshwara temple at the top, surrounded by fort walls. The ancient temple has idols of Lord Shiva and Nandi and still attracts devotees from nearby villages.

Roam around and explore the fort. You might find a variety of ancient objects like rocks containing ancient writings on them, dilapidated idols on the roof of the temple to name a few.

Close your eyes and spend some time to reflect on your journey till the top. Notice the silence and the sounds of nature. Relax your over-worked muscles before you start your journey back to base.

Because you will take the same route to descend, you must be extra cautious on the tricky and steep sections and move slow and steady here. A slip may cause you to fall and injure yourself badly.

Follow the way markers painted on the rocks to reach the base without getting lost.

GPX File And Route Map Of The Trek

Route Map

GPX File

In case you want to read more on how to use this gpx file, go through our detailed guide here.

Best Time To Do Makalidurga Trek

Makalidurga is one of those treks that can be done all year round.

However, due to very little tree cover on the trail, we recommend you wear a cap during summers to avoid exposure to the sun. Not wearing a cap or a hat will tire you quickly due to dehydration caused by extreme heat.

During monsoons, carry a poncho or a raincoat along with a rain cover for your backpack to keep yourselves dry on your hike to Makalidurga.

But, we advice not to trek during heavy rain as the trail becomes slippery due to loose rocks and mud. This will hamper your experience of the trek.

How to Reach Makalidurga

• Reaching Makalidurga By Your Vehicle From Bangalore

If you are planning to reach Makalidurga using your own vehicle, use this link to help set up navigation in Google maps.

If you do not have access to Google Maps, follow the instructions below to reach the base of the trek:

It is a pretty straightforward route to Makalidurga. Take the National Highway 44 (Bellary Road) and proceed towards Bengaluru International Airport.

At Yelahanka, take the Service Road and turn left to take a U-Turn and connect to State Highway 9.

Continue of State Highway 9 for approximately 41 kilometres and take the left turn on to dirt trail when you see a big bill board about Makalidurga and continue till you reach the Parking Space.

• Reaching Makalidurga By Public Transport System From Bangalore

From Majestic Bus Station —> Doddaballapur Bus Station —> Take a private bus which goes towards Gaurbidanur and get down at Makalidurga Railway Station

From Majestic Railway Station—-> Makalidurga Railway Station

Train Timings to reach Doddaballapur and back:
Bangalore to Makalidurga
Train No. 06565 at 09:30 AM
Train No. 66523 at 05:45 PM
Train No. 56503 at 07:20 AM
Train No. 06521 at 07:20 AM (Except on Sundays)
Makalidurga to Bangalore
Train No. 66524 at 07:30 AM
Train No. 06566 at 01:51 PM
Train No. 56504 at 02:06 PM
Train No. 06522 at 03:08 PM (Except on Sundays)

Bus timings to reach Doddaballapur and back:

There are BMTC buses every 15 minutes to Doddaballapur from Majestic Bus Station, Bangalore. The buses that go to Doddaballapura are 285M, 285MA, 285MC, 285MF, 285MG, 285MK, 285MP, Volvo-285M, and JPV-285M.

The same applies to buses from Doddaballapur to Bangalore as well.

Is Makalidurga Trek Difficult

There are no sections on the Makalidurga trek that can be classified as difficult as such. However, a trekker must always anticipate and prepare for every eventuality.

Here are a few things you should keep an eye out for while ascending and descending:

• Slippery trail (monsoon-specific):

The trail becomes more tricky during monsoons as the mud and rocks become very slippery, and great caution must be taken while traversing.

If trekking in the monsoons, trekkers should be very careful with their choice of footwear and should check weather charts so as to avoid days with anticipated heavy rains.

• Rocks and stones:

There are multiple parts of the trek where trekkers will be required to scale small rocks or hop over boulders. While this is an extremely enjoyable part of the trek, one needs to be careful.

Slipping or falling from a boulder can lead to serious injury, and trekkers must exercise caution while navigating these sections.

• Muddy sections:

Since this trail is a mix of rocks, boulders, and mud, there are some sections of predominantly mud trail that are very slippery even if it has not rained. The chances of slipping and sliding down for a few metres are high. Hence, firm footing is advised in these sections.

Permissions for Makalidurga Trek

It's essential to obtain permission for the Makalidurga trek. You need to apply online and fill out all the necessary details at https://www.karnatakaecotourism.com/dashboard Pay the amount.

Once you finish the process, you will get a form. Show the form at the forest department to gain access

How To Get Fit For Makalidurga Trek

The Makalidurga trek is classified as an easy-grade trek. From Makalidurga Railway Station, you will gain approximately 990 feet in altitude. Though the altitude gain is not much, the continuous ascent can be quite demanding for people who lead a sedentary lifestyle.

Training yourself for a low-altitude, easy-grade trek

Here’s a guide to help you get fit for the trek in 4 weeks:

➤  Cardiovascular Endurance

In case you’re just starting with a fitness routine, start slow and increase your pace everyday in the following manner:

• Target completing a jog of 5 km in 45 minutes when you begin.
• Gradually increase your pace by running 5 km, four times a week.
• As you become more comfortable, introduce another day of running in your routine. 
• Progressively increase the distance you run in a workout until you can complete 5 km in 40 minutes.

If you prefer cycling over running, target covering 15 km in 60 minutes when you begin.

• Progressively increase your pace to cover 18 km in one hour.

➤ Strength Training

This is an important area you need to work on.

Strength training is equally important for trekking comfortably. Work on your glutes, calves, and knees. Additionally, work on strengthening your core.

You must strengthen your core muscles. For strengthening your core muscles, holding a plank and it’s variations (elbow, side planks) are the best exercises to go about doing it.

Also, try these exercises for strength:

Target 4 sets of squats, with 20 in each set.

Squats (Mix it up with sumo squats)

Lunges (Forward, backward and lateral lunges)

– Planks

➤ Flexibility

Flexibility determines the amount of movement your bones can make in any direction around joints such as shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.

It is an aspect that will help you trek comfortably. Carrying a backpack, however light, can become a strain. Stretching your hamstrings, quadriceps, hip flexors, and lower back muscles regularly promotes relaxation in the tissues, reducing the strain on your back.

If you can’t go out and jog because of time and space constraints, here’s a video you can use to work out indoors.

Things To Take On Makalidurga Trek

• Basic First Aid kit*
• Identity Card
• Cap, Scarf, Bandana and Sunglasses
• Water (Minimum two litres)
• Lemon and salt OR Electrolyte Powder/Drink (Electral, Gatorade, Glucon D, etc.)
• High-calorie snacks (Nuts and dry fruits, home-baked cake, etc.)
• Safety Pins, Rubber bands and whistles (Useful in emergencies.)
• Quick-dry T-shirts are preferable to cotton tees.
• Poncho, only during monsoons
• Plastic sheet to wrap electronic devices, only during monsoons
• Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
• Optional: Trekking poles

*First aid kit:

• Scissor
• Band aids (Regular & Waterproof)
• Analgesic spray (Relispray, Volini, etc.)
• Antiseptic Liquid (Savlon, Dettol, etc.)
• Antiseptic powder (Povidone-iodine-based powders like Cipladine, Savlon, etc.)
• Cotton roll & Bandage
• Crepe Bandage
• 1 inch wide medical tape (paper or cloth.)
• Micropore tape
• Tablets for motion sickness (Avomine), and acidity (Gelusil, Digene, etc.).
• Mild pain relief tablet (Crocin)

Note: Always consult a doctor before taking any medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I do the Makalidurga trek if I have never done a trek before?

Yes. A person who follows an active lifestyle, can consider Makalidurga their first trek.
For people who lead a relatively sedentary lifestyle, we recommend a bit of preparation before attempting to trek.

2. Can we go to Makalidurga without booking? 

No. You need to register yourself online prior to starting your trek. A ticket costs Rs 250 per head. Here is the website for registration: https://www.karnatakaecotourism.com/dashboard

3. Where can I get food and water during the Makalidurga trek?

There are decent restaurants on the highway that take care of your food requirements before and after your trek. We recommend you carry some light snacks to replenish yourselves at the summit.

It is also strongly recommended to carry at least two litres of water and sufficient food to last for 4 hours of activity.

There is no source of food or water at the base of the trek.

4. Whom do I contact in case of an emergency?

• Hospital: The closest hospital is Doddaballapur District Hospital which is 16 km away from the parking lot. You can reach them on 080 2762 2420 for assistance.

• Police Station: The police station closest to Makalidurga is the Doddaballapur Town Police Station (contact: 080 2762 2015).

• ERSS: For any kind of emergency help, you can contact the Pan-India Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) at 112.

5. What about mobile networks and connectivity on the Makalidurga trek?

Mobile Network: You will get mobile networks for almost all major operators like Airtel, Vodafone, & Jio throughout the trek, except for some sections where the network is weak.
Nearest ATM: Doddaballapur town is where you will get an ATM, which is roughly 15 kilometres away from the base of the trek. So ensure you carry enough cash with you before starting the trek.

6. Where can I get a guide for the Makalidurga trek?

The trail to the fort is probably as straightforward as it can get. We do not recommend a guide for this trek. Download the gpx file from our website to make sure you do not get lost on the trek.

7. Where can I park my vehicle?

Vehicles can reach the base of the trek with ease. The base is well connected by road.
There is parking space right at the base. So, you can park your vehicle and start the trek right from the campsite!

8. How long is the Makalidurga trek?

The Makalidurga trek is 3.8 km one way. It takes about 2.5 hours to reach the summit from the start point. And it takes about an hour and a half to two hours to descend.

9. How difficult is the Makalidurga trek?

Makalidurga is an easy trek, suitable for fit beginners as well as experienced trekkers. The trek doesn't have any tricky sections.

10. Can we trek Makalidurga without booking?

No, you need to get permission from the Karnataka eco-tourism website.

Nearby Places To Visit After Makalidurga Trek

➤ Ghati Subrahmanya Temple – This Dravidian-style temple to the god of snakes and a site of an annual snake festival, is just 5 kilometres away from the base of the trek. It is a popular destination among devotees and tourists alike.

➤ Halu Chilume Gange Trek – Halu Chilume Gange is another offbeat trek very close to Makalidurga.

If you have time left after your trek to Makalidurga, you can drive down to the base of Halu Chilume Gange and hike up to the temple. It won’t take you more than 3 hours to complete this trek.

Trek Contribution:

Trek documented by: Saurabh Sawant

Banner image photo credit: Saurabh Sawant

Author: Gautam Singh